Abstract: The present invention provides a method for transmitting a broadcast signal. The method for transmitting a broadcast signal according to the present invention may comprise the steps of: encoding data pipe (DP) data corresponding to each of a plurality of DPs which transmit at least one service or service component; generating at least one signal frame by mapping the encoded DP data to data symbols; modulating data present in the at least one signal frame by means of an OFDM scheme; and transmitting a broadcast signal including the modulated data.

Abstract: An access control system comprised of access points and a social access control system. The access points can be communication intermediaries for accessing an associated entity. The social access control system can be configured to limit interactions with the access point to mobile devices associated with members of a social access control network as defined by an owner of the access point. The owner can be a member of the social access control network. The mobile device can be required to be within a physical proximity, defined by the owner, of the access point. The mobile devices of members of the social access control network lacking an association with the access point can be unable to perform interactions that affect the entity of the access point when within the physical proximity.

Abstract: A method performed on an electronic device for migrating tags across entities. The migration of the tags is performed following an analysis of one or more personal electronically encoded items associated with a previously created perspective or album associated with the previously created perspective, responsive to a user decision the creation of a new perspective, a new album associated with one of the previously created perspectives, or a new perspective and a new album associated with the new perspective, responsive to a user decision to treat the previously created perspective or album as an individual entity, and association of the previously created perspective or album with the new perspective or new album. The tags are respectively migrated from the new perspective or the new album to the associated previously created perspective or the previously created album and to associated ones of the one or more personal electronically encoded items.

Abstract: An image display apparatus including a tuner unit configured to receive a broadcast signal; a display unit configured to selectively display a plurality of pieces of broadcast content according to the broadcast signal; a wireless communication unit configured to perform wireless communication with a mobile terminal sensed to be positioned within a predetermined range and receive a plurality of pieces of application content from the mobile terminal; and a controller configured to assign channel information to the plurality of pieces of broadcast content and the plurality of pieces of application content from the mobile terminal; and display content on the display unit corresponding to selected channel information.

Abstract: Service discovery and other operations related to enabling devices to announce, discover or otherwise control their services and/or the services offered or available from other devices is contemplated. The service discovery may facilitating service discovery for services sourced from devices inside and outside of a network and/or from devices having incompatible messaging capabilities.

Abstract: A method of managing bandwidth usage at a customer premises includes receiving a content stream at a set-top box device coupled to a display device. The method also includes receiving a power-off command for the display device. Furthermore, the method includes displaying a prompt on the display device, wherein the prompt comprises an instruction to confirm that the display device is active via a confirmation input. The method further includes directing, responsive to the determining that the confirmation input has not been received, a source device to cease sending the content stream to the set-top box.

Abstract: A system to facilitate AR processing includes receiving captured media from a user device and context information relating to media that is being delivered to a receiving device. The system may use the media being delivered with the captured media to generate one or more virtual objects. The user device may augment a user's view of reality that is reflected in the captured media by overlaying or otherwise incorporating the virtual objects in the user's view of reality.

Abstract: Mobile Networks using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex (OFDM) and or spread spectrum modulation and demodulation techniques process in mobile devices spread spectrum signals into OFDM signals. A first mobile device receives and demodulates a spread spectrum modulated signal into a baseband spread spectrum signal and processes the baseband spread spectrum signal into a first OFDM signal. The first OFDM signal is transmitted to a second mobile device. In the second mobile device the received first OFDM signal is demodulated and processed into a second OFDM signal. The second OFDM signal is transmitted in the mobile network. Alternatively, the first mobile device receives, instead of a spread spectrum signal a modulated OFDM signal. The mobile device has a motion detector which generates a motion detector signal for control of the mobile device. The mobile device has a heart rate sensor and measures the heart rate.

Abstract: A digital object may be routed via a network. Routing of a digital object may be based in part on a requested service, and/or on an ability of an intermediate node to provide the requested service, and/or on a willingness of the intermediate node to provide the requested service.

Abstract: Systems for, and methods of, displaying video information comprising: a second screen device obtaining current play position data of a video being played on a primary screen device (e.g., obtaining from the primary screen device an identification of a current play position of the video, or obtaining information to generate an acoustic fingerprint of the video); determining a current play position of the video playing on the primary screen device based upon the current play position data (e.g., identification of the current play position or the acoustic fingerprint); downloading information (e.g., video map, subtitles, moral principles, objectionable content, memorable content, performers, geographical maps, shopping, plot point, item, ratings, and trivia information) over a computer communications network into the memory of the second screen device; and displaying information on the second screen device synchronized with the contemporaneously played video on the primary screen device.

Abstract: A transmitting apparatus is provided. The transmitting apparatus includes: a frame generator configured to generate a first frame provided for a fixed terminal and a second frame provided for a mobile terminal, the second frame including common service data commonly provided for the fixed terminal and the mobile terminal; an information inserting unit configured to insert access information on the common service data into a signaling area of the first frame; and a transmitter configured to transmit the first and second frames.

Abstract: A system and method for playback of media content, for example music, video, or other media content. A media device having a media playback application and including a touch-sensitive user interface can be adapted to display a visual array of media options, for example as a grid or list of card elements. Each media option can be associated with one or more media content items that can be streamed to and/or played on the device. The system can determine a selected card element, or media options that are proximate to a selected point or region of the visual array, and play or crossfade media content as appropriate. In accordance with various embodiments, additional features can be provided that improve user interaction, for example the use of audible notifications, media caching, or touch menus.

Abstract: A video processing device includes a metadata authoring device, that generates time-coded metadata in response to content recognition data and in accordance with at least one time stamp of a video signal. A metadata association device generates a processed video signal from the video signal, wherein the processed video signal includes the time-coded metadata.

Abstract: A computer implemented advertisement method for matching a user with a computer generated advertisement that is compatible to a users of the methods preferred aesthetic. In one example the method comprises: receiving a profile generated by recording user choices from a field of images displayed to the user; applying a logistics regression model to the image choices to create a baseline aesthetic template used to determine the most appropriate model or actor to be inserted into the background of a still or video advertisement. Any results within a desired confidence level are returned to the user as and advertisement with the appropriate model or actor inserted by means of current and available technology into the ad to be displayed on the user's mobile or video device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method and system for remote diagnostics in a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) set-top box network having a head-end unit and a set-top box having diagnostics software. The diagnostics software stored in the set-top box enables the head-end unit to remotely query the set-top box about the current condition of the set-top box and, as a result, reduces the necessity of service calls and/or shipping charges that would otherwise be required. The diagnostics software generates data is response to a set-top box identification request, a software version request, a check television connections request, a check I/O ports request, a check HPNA networking request, a check USB request, a check system ICs request, a check DSL connection request, a check error codes request, a read warranty clock request, a read hours of operation request, and a perform default test request received from the head-end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for secure transfer and playback of multimedia content enables the secure transfer of multimedia content from a digital video recorder (DVR) to a personal computer (PC) and further to a handheld device. A DVR determines which devices on a Local Area Network (LAN) are authorized to share and/or retrieve content from the DVR. The DVR receives a connection request from a PC on the LAN, authorizes the connection request and establishes a secure connection between the DVR and the PC. Once the secure connection is established, the DVR receives a request for multimedia content from the PC, prepares the multimedia content for transfer and transfers the multimedia content to the PC.

Abstract: A two-gate sampling system has been designed to perform sampled balanced detection of one or more input signal pairs. The present invention performs simultaneous sampling of both signals in each signal pair followed by digitization and combination of the sample pairs using software. By first sampling the signals and then combining the sampled into the corresponding balanced detected signal it is possible to avoid the bandwidth limitations and impedance problems introduced by traditional balanced detectors and electrical oscilloscopes. In particular, for optical sampling gates very high bandwidth sampling gates can be designed without any impedance issues and hence almost perfect balanced detection reconstruction can be performed for very high speed signals. Balanced detection is becoming more and more important as the new phase modulated optical data signals are introduced to the market, such as e.g. PSK, DPSK, QPSK and DQPSK. The present invention is well suited for analysis of these new types of signals.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system that enables mobile and desktop devices to automatically communicate with websites of brick and mortar businesses, which are relevant to a category of interest and proximate to their current or a prospective geographic location. The system and method further enables generation of well-formed websites, media, and multimedia, and to concurrently and automatically demographically and geographically distribute and push the websites and media to nearby and prospectively interested mobile and desktop devices with relevancy-amplified, geotargeted media and multimedia communications, which media are selected by real-time machine-learned, high-probability consumer interest weighting and relevancy functions that are continuously updated in response to monitored consumer actions.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be provided for retrieving non-on-demand media data and on-demand media data that is provided by separate data sources. On-demand media data may be cached to reduce system latencies and the burden on the distribution network.

Abstract: Subscribing to channels and playing content, including: selecting an available subscription channel with an application on a second device; modifying a user's, subscription list based on the selected subscription-channel; and executing commands on any of the subscription channels of the user's subscription list. Keywords include: media, internet content, BIVL subscription and device infrastructure.

Abstract: A system and method for providing information of selectable objects in a television program as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

Abstract: A computerized method operable on a computer system for compositing data streams to generate a playable composite stream includes receiving a plurality of independent data streams that are included in a broadcast stream. The independent data streams include a video stream and a metadata stream. The metadata stream includes a plurality of user selectable graphics metadata for a plurality of graphics options. The computerized method further includes receiving a user selection for at least one of the graphics options; and compositing the at least one graphics options with the video stream to generate a composite video stream, which includes the at least one graphics option and the video stream.

Abstract: A frequency band selection device that can be inserted into a signal transmission line of a CATV system on the premise of a user includes at least two signal path sets between a tap side and a premise side. Each signal path set includes two discrete signal paths, a high frequency signal path for a downstream bandwidth and a low frequency signal path for an upstream bandwidth. The high frequency signal path and the low frequency signal path are separated by a cut-off transition frequency that is different for each signal path set. The device further includes a switch controller having at least two discrete switch positions. The switch controller chooses one of the switch positions as a result of an information signal. Each of the switch positions corresponds to a respective one of the signal path sets.

Abstract: Computing devices may implement dynamic detection of pause and resume for video communications. Video communication data may be capture at a participant device in a video communication. The video communication data may be evaluated to detect a pause or resume event for the transmission of the video communication data. Various types of video, audio, and other sensor analysis may be used to detect when a pause event or a resume event may be triggered. For triggered pause events, at least some of the video communication data may no longer be transmitted as part of the video communication. For triggered resume events, a pause state may cease and all of the video communication data may be transmitted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing an audio/visual feed of a live event include mixing ambient audio signals, from ambient microphones monitoring the live event, with sound board feed from the event public address system, thereby forming a mixed audio signal. A video input signal is received at each video input in a plurality of video inputs at a video board from corresponding cameras recording the event. One such video input signal is selected as the video board output and is combined with the mixed audio signal thereby producing an audio/visual signal. This signal is encoded using a video codec, at each of several bitrates, and an audio codec, thereby forming bitrate streams each comprising the video portion of the audio/visual signal at a unique bitrate. The streams are received by a satellite router and transmitted to a satellite which sends them to one or more downlink servers for Internet distribution.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for receiving two broadcast modes using one tuner in a Set-Top-Box (STB) are provided. The integrated tuner unit receives a broadcast signal of at least one of a DSG scheme and an OOB scheme to tune a desired broadcast band, and converts the broadcast signal into at least one Intermediate Frequency (IF) signal. The switching unit switches the at least one IF signal to at least one of the DSG demodulator and the OOB demodulator. The DSG demodulator demodulates the at least one IF signal according to the DSG scheme, when the broadcast signal of the DSG scheme is received. The OOB demodulator demodulates the at least one IF signal according to the OOB scheme, when the broadcast signal of the OOB scheme is received.

Abstract: An optical network unit (ONU) includes an optical interface, a detector producing an output signal based on a characteristic of an optical input received via the optical interface, a radio-frequency (RF) interface, an opto-electrical (O/E) converter in a first path from the optical interface to the RF interface, an electro-optical (E/O) converter in a second path from RF interface to the optical interface and a controller operatively connected to the detector, the controller being configured to adjust an optical output of the ONU based on the characteristic, where the characteristic may be a level of the received signal. Also a method of adjusting an optical output of an ONU based on a characteristic of a received signal.

Abstract: Architecture for the delivery of IP-based messages from wired and/or wireless devices to a television system. The means for delivery can be via an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) technology. The message is processed through a messaging system that obtains a mapping of a message address to an IPTV address, and routes the message to an IPTV network for delivery the desired television system for presentation. Messaging can be via SMS (short message service) for textual content, MMS (multimedia messaging service) for multimedia content, or other messaging technologies, such as instant messaging, an e-mail, for example. Optionally, the message from the user device can include a request for confirmation of delivery of the message to the television. The confirmation can then be routed back over an IP data network to the user device and presented to the user.

Abstract: Method, system and computer program product for requesting e-mail messages. Download instructions for sending e-mail messages from an e-mail message database storing a plurality of e-mail messages to an e-mail client are received at an e-mail messaging system, the plurality of e-mail messages having accumulated due to inattention by a user. The e-mail messaging system sends e-mail messages from the e-mail message database to the e-mail client in accordance with the download instructions.

Abstract: A method for digital image comparison includes, by a computer executing a single instance of an application program stored in a memory of the computer, receiving a first input from a user of the computer, identifying related portions of a first digital image and a second digital image. The method also includes receiving user interactions to view portions of the first digital image. The method also includes, responsive to the user interactions, changing a view of portions of the second digital image that are related to the first digital image.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are described which allows multimedia signals received from one or more content providers (e.g., cable television providers, Internet content providers, . . . etc) to be received, processed and retransmitted by an originating node to one or more receiving nodes over a local cable network (e.g., the coaxial cable network within a user's home). One impediment to communication between nodes within the local cable network is the fact that most cable splitters are designed to attenuate signals between the split legs of the splitter. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, a reflector device coupled upstream of the root splitter in a local cable network (or in place of the root splitter) is configured to reflect signals transmitted from the originating node back up into the network to the receiving nodes. Signal attenuation is minimized because the signals propagate from the splitter inputs to the splitter legs (rather than between the splitter legs).

Abstract: A mechanism for booking events comprising an event broker, one or more event managers and one or more action handlers. In one embodiment, the event broker is configured to register a plurality of event bookings, each of which identifies an event and a corresponding action. For each event booking, the event broker notifies an event manager which is configured to detect the type of event identified in the event booking. When the event manager detects the identified event, it notifies the event broker. The broker then notifies an action handler which is configured to initiate the type of action identified in the event booking. The action handler then initiates the action. If the event booking is non-recurring and the action is complete, the event booking is unregistered by the event broker.

Abstract: Without using a gateway, an AV device is controlled as intended by an operator without causing a conflict between an operation by a user and an operation by the operator.

Abstract: A method for generating a Set Top Box (STB) code download step sequence includes the steps of retrieving a code object from a Software Download Generator (SDG) memory in response to an instruction signal, generating at least one of a control message and a decoder conditional command using a SDG processor in response to the code object, accessing information in a channel map in the SDG memory, combining the at least one of a control message and a decoder conditional command with the code object to generate the STB code download step sequence for a target STB, transmitting the at least one STB code download step sequence from the SDG memory to a Digital Addressable Controller (DAC), re-transmitting the STB code download step sequence from the DAC to a Remote Addressable DANIS/DLS (RADD), and re-transmitting the STB code download step sequence from the RADD to the target STB.

Abstract: A conditional access system generating a permission packet in response to the content request. The permission packet has information for a user device to access content through a connection of a content delivery network so that in response to the permission packet, a first connection from the content delivery network to the user device may be opened by the user device.

Abstract: An association table associates each program stream of a plurality of program streams with a MAC domain, with a channel frequency and with a multicast address. If a subscriber device selects a content program different from a current program, a determination is made whether the new program is serviced by a different MAC domain than the one serving the current program. If the selected new program is not serviced by the same domain that is serving the current program stream(s), the current MAC domain is informed that the subscriber device is ending the session therewith, the new frequency is tuned by the subscriber device and new content is received immediately after the new frequency is tuned. The subscriber device registers with the new MAC domain after receipt of new content has begun.

Abstract: A method of processing a digital television (DTV) signal in a DTV receiver, the method includes receiving a digital television signal including a plurality of extended text table (ETT) instances that appear in transport stream packets with common PID values, the ETT instances having common table ID values, each ETT instance comprising a section header and a message body, the section header containing a table identification (ID) extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT instance, the message body containing an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT instance, wherein the section header further contains a protocol version field indicating a protocol version and a last section number field indicating a last section number, demodulating the digital television signal; and identifying at least one pertinent ETT instance from the plurality of ETT instances.

Abstract: Provided is a method of providing an associated application in an Android platform-based receiver, including (a) obtaining identification information including at least one of current channel information and current program information of a digital broadcast; (b) obtaining and executing an associated Android application associated with the digital broadcast selected from a plurality of Android applications based on an attribute information included in each of the plurality of Android applications and the identification information; and (c) changing a state of the associated Android application based on an event when the event is received. Accordingly, an associated Android application, the life cycle of which is managed while associated with a digital broadcast and which is personalized for a user based on attributes or a pre-designed associated condition, is provided.

Abstract: A DTV receiver includes a receiver to receive a digital television signal including a plurality of extended text table (ETT) instances that appear in transport stream packets with common PID values, the ETT instances having common table ID values, each ETT instance comprising a section header and a message body, the section header containing a table identification (ID) extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT instance, the message body containing an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT instance, wherein the section header further contains a protocol version field indicating a protocol version and a last section number field indicating a last section number, a demodulator to demodulate the digital television signal and an identifier to identify at least one pertinent ETT instance from the plurality of ETT instances.

Abstract: A video stream measurement method and system. The method includes receiving by a computing system, a video stream comprising plurality of timestamps located at specified intervals of the video stream. The computing system broadcasts the video stream for a user and decodes a first time stamp broadcasted during a first time period. The computing system monitors a user interaction function performed by the user and associated with the video stream. The computing system generates and transmits a report comprising a description associated with the user interaction function. The computing system receives an analysis associated with the report.

Abstract: A DTV receiver includes a receiver to receive a digital television signal including a plurality of extended text table (ETT) instances that appear in transport stream packets with common PID values, the ETT instances having common table ID values, each ETT instance comprising a section header and a message body, the section header containing a table identification (ID) extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT instance, the message body containing an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT instance, wherein the section header further contains a protocol version field indicating a protocol version and a private indicator field indicating a private indicator a demodulator to demodulate the digital television signal and an identifier to identify at least one pertinent ETT instance from the plurality of ETT instances.

Abstract: A method of processing additional information related to an announced service or content in a Non-Real Time (NRT) service and the broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of providing a Non-Real Time (NRT) service in a broadcasting receiver includes receiving a service map table (SMT) and a first descriptor through a service signaling channel, identifying an image identifier and an image type of an image for an NRT service based upon the first descriptor, receiving the image via a flute session and displaying the image when corresponding service is played, wherein the image is logo or icon data for the NRT service. The method may further include connecting a service signaling channel, parsing the received SMT and the first descriptor, determining whether a service is the NRT service based upon the parsed SMT and storing the received image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring audience information of programs are described. Systems and methods for providing audience information to users of interactive television applications are described.

Abstract: A video display system includes a video display unit, and an external unit configured to be communicatable with the video display unit. The video display unit includes a display panel and is configured to transmit specific information to the external unit. The specific information includes display panel information related to the display panel. The external unit is configured to derive a parameter from the specific information received from the video display unit and to transmit, to the video display unit, one of the derived parameter and related data related to the derived parameter. The parameter determines image quality.

Abstract: [Object] When two image streams to be synchronized and reproduced are separately transmitted by broadcasting and by the Internet, to successfully synchronize and reproduce the two image streams. [Solving Means] A receiver apparatus includes: a broadcast receiver capable of receiving one of a plurality of images as a broadcast stream via broadcasting, a time reference value being added to the plurality of images, the plurality of images being to be synchronized and reproduced; a communication receiver capable of receiving the other of the plurality of images as a communication stream via a network; a criterion time generator configured to generate criterion time based on the time reference value of the broadcast stream, the criterion time being used to generate timing to present the plurality of images; and an adjuster configured to adjust the criterion time based on an amount of delay of the time reference value of the communication stream behind the criterion time.

Abstract: Digital broadcast receiving apparatus including: a receiver receiving at least three different video programs in one transport stream, including a plurality of different video signal formats having different combination of scan lines and scan method; an isolator to isolate a video signal; a decoder to decode the video signal; a processor to execute a plurality of video processing sub software programs, providing video processing according to a different combination of the number of scan lines and a scan method; a controller using information obtained from the digital multiplexed signal to determine a combination of the number of scan lines and a scan method, and selecting one video processing of the video processing sub software programs to perform video processing according to the determined combination of the number of scan lines and the scan method; and a display to display the video signal processed by the processor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering data over extant infrastructure within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable network, and the infrastructure comprises that nominally used for on-demand (OD) services such as VOD. The method includes the allocation of dedicated end-to-end network resources via a “session request, as well as data flow control and packet size adaptation, by a data server based on feedback from the requesting/receiving client device (e.g., DSTB) within the network. Mechanisms for retransmission requests for error recovery are also provided.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a control block including a read control processor for reading designated content, a time information processor for processing time information. A controller returns, to a user terminal, a response signal, and information indicating a second absolute time point when an operation is executed in response to a request signal generated by the user terminal at a first absolute time point. The controller stores time difference information indicating a time difference between the first and the second absolute time points. When responding to a further request signal sent from the requester via the network, the controller sets, as tag time information, time information obtained by correcting, using the time difference information, a current relative time period for which the designated content is read.

Abstract: A method for demapping a multicarrier signal into soft bits by a receiver, comprises the steps of: calculating signal to noise ratio (“SNR”) adjustment factors (“A[segidx]”) for segments of the signal, wherein each of the segments has a predefined number of subcarriers of the signal; generating an adjusted SNR (“SNR[segidx]”) as a function of an average SNR over the subcarriers of the signal and of the calculated SNR adjustment factors; and determining the soft bits for the signal as a function of the signal, a channel estimation for the signal, and the adjusted SNR, wherein the receiver decodes the determined soft bits.

Abstract: An application management server includes: a terminal management table storage unit configured to store terminal device identification data for identifying a terminal device and information indicating whether or not transmission of notification data is necessary while correlating the terminal device identification data with the information; a registration request reception unit configured to receive from the terminal device, a registration request for registering transmission of notification data, and update the terminal management table storage unit based on the registration request; a release request reception unit configured to receive from the terminal device, a release request for releasing transmission of notification data, and update the terminal management table storage unit based on the release request; a via-broadcasting notification transmission unit configured to perform a process of including notification data in a broadcasting signal and transmitting the notification data; and a via-communicatio